As part of her commitment to create a safe space for widows to unburden, a certified relationship and sex coach, Uzo Ododo-Oba, has organised a day hangout for 12 widows in Lagos.
In its second edition, the hangout is a compact, private and one-on-one party to help widows release tension and bottled emotions.
Speaking at the event, Ododo-Oba urged widows to regularly check their mental and physical health, eat right, rest well and be open to relationships if they want to.
She observed that a lot of widows face stigmatisation, discrimination and name-calling while others are overwhelmed by family responsibility, work or business and sometimes forget themselves, which, according to her, was devastating.
“We help them re-chart their paths to finding true happiness and positive energy to raise happy and healthy children. Most widows have complained of suffering from abusive relationships from husband’s families, relatives and others after the demise of their husbands,” she added.
Ododo-Oba appealed to families and religious leaders to intentionally and deliberately care for widows in their environments, noting that most of them spend quality time with them while attending religious activities.
A special guest at the event and founder of Richerwoman Network, Mrs. Omi Oshikoya, stated that women and widows would continue to impact the world positively in the right environment. She described widows as precious pearls or Rubies in God’s eyes.
For the Chief Executive Officer of His Grace Network, Mr. Ifeanyi Okoye, the government should come up with legislations and policies that would better the lives of widows rather than allowing them to pass through pains and sorrow. Okoye also advised them to stay happy and alive.
A chef who lost her husband 13 years ago, Mrs. Ugo Ambrose, recounted how she built her business from grass to grace after her husband’s properties were taken from her.
She said that event has helped the participants to know that God cares for widows through people like Uzo and other organisations.
The high point of the event was the widows having a full body massage by professional masseuses even as they also received gifts to take home.
